As the most abused drugs in the world, marijuana is an illegal drug that has had extremely negative impacts on its abusers, users and the society as well. It is a drug associated with so many sorts of evils ranging from social to economic; some of these evils are criminalized, aggravated assault, murder, theft, rape among many others. These factors are attributed to its availability in the market and its side effects that are numerous. It is therefore a matter of concern to critically analyze and evaluate marijuana. So many young people have engaged in terrible activities and associated themselves with the drug but have in the long run suffered the consequences. As a dreadful drug, it is thoughtful of me to denounce the drug and advocate for its ban.
On the economy, legalization of marijuana will make the government to impose taxes on retailers and end users. Taxing of this drug will lead to irregular monumental tasks and this will encourage sellers and retailers to sell marijuana on the black market which will render the business worthless. Often associated with high crime, its legalization will cause more violation of law. As a result of the stimulation, users will carelessly ignore rules and regulations which will result to social upheaval.
Authorizing another drug in the society will see a reduction in the number of drug addicts because majority of drug abusers has been just lawbreakers whose only intention is to acquire the drugs illegally. Authorization of the drug will eventually cause a balance in criminology and stability of the society. It would possibly reduce crime, arrests and theft since a lot more people will be occupied in the business serving various purposes and roles. This occupation will reduce unemployment and crime in the society (Donovan 2012 p. 106). However, it will also negatively impact on the government and the society at large. The government will have to invest more in rehabilitating addicts and in regulating its consumption. This drug could also reach children and make them vulnerable to bad habits and addiction at such tender age.
I strongly believe that marijuana ought to remain illegal due to the many negative factors attributed to it. Legalizing marijuana will make more people to use it and consequently breed more abusers and addicts. Physically marijuana is seen to cause hormone imbalance mentally and psychologically. Additionally, marijuana cases have been associated with impotence among men and hormonal imbalances in maternal health among women.
Banning of marijuana skyrockets its price making it so valuable and rare commodity in the market. Regulating marijuana will automatically cause competition in selling the drugs which will lead do killings of each other due to the stiff competition. Regulating marijuana and its distribution will gradually eliminate the dominant cartels that have enjoyed a monopoly in the business. As a result of the strains by law, the cartels will lose all their money as it will all be siphoned leaving them bankrupt and jobless. Similarly, the chain down from the farmer to the consumer will break and they will be rendered jobless (Jennings 2007, p. 86). Though it is a small fraction, it will however impact much on each individual.
Among kids, regulation of marijuana will have a symbolic impact on them because as most of them reach puberty is in high school, they will opt for marijuana instead of cigarettes reason being that they are not asked to produce their national identification cards while purchasing marijuana unlike purchasing alcohol. Ironically, regulation of marijuana will do nothing for kids. State regulation may however minimize the access, separate hard drugs from marijuana and come up with programs of drug education to youths. However legalizing marijuana could also be attributed to other social factors that, for instance new users of marijuana would not necessarily limited to adults if marijuana were legalized. Legalizing marijuana will give children freedom enabling them to buy them anywhere and freely without being asked to produce a national ID card (Balkin, 2005 p. 112). Putting in mind the consequences accrue to use and abuse of drugs, it is a moral and societal decay to legalize it.
As a casual significant factor in regards to highway crashes, legalization of marijuana would lead to drug- impaired driving that alters the normal functioning of the eyes which is caused by certain compounds contained in marijuana. This compound makes the eyes turn red with blurred vision it is therefore very risky driving under the influence of marijuana because it could cause damage and accidents in road networks (Mosher 2007, P .97). More so there possibly is a reason for legalization of marijuana despite the allegations of its side effects and direct effects.
At this point, it is evidently clear with the varied views on the legalization of marijuana that it would directly or indirectly affect people, society and the government differently. Morally, certain people take marijuana as moral degrading aspects of societal decay as many claim that it is medically proven to alter the brain functions due to the compounds it contains. Similarly, doctors say that marijuana is associated with physical problems and serious mental problems that could lower the immune system and decrease hormone productions. In order for us to move on to the next level, we need to think critically and focus on that which adds value to our lives and abandon that which is strenuous and unpredictable.
References
Rosenthal, E., Kubby, S., & Newhart, S. (2003). Why marijuana should be legal. Philadelphia: Running Press.
Donovan, T., Mooney, C. Z., & Smith, D. A. (2012). State and local politics: Institutions and reform. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth.
Jennings, M. (2012). Business: Its legal, ethical, and global environment. Mason, OH: South- Western Cengage Learning.
Balkin, K. (2005). Drug legalization. Farmington Hills, Mich: Greenhaven Press.
Mosher, C. J., & Akins, S. (2007). Drugs and drug policy: The control of consciousness alteration. Thousand Oaks, Calif. [U.a.: Sage.
